This past Sunday I mentioned the reality that several of the churches we read about in the NT had many problems. These churches were made up of redeemed, but imperfect people. These churches were not immune to conflict, dissatisfaction, gossip, and/or heresy. It was several of these issues which promoted the apostle Paul to write letters to the NT churches. And while we recognize that these churches were not perfect there are several characteristics of these churches we should emulate. We discussed three of these this past Sunday from 1 Thess. 1.2-3.
1. Genuine Faith Produces Work
The church at Thessalonica was an active church, and their activity was motivated by their faith. In James chapter 2 we read about a possible scenario of two people coming into an assembly of Christians: one rich and another poor. If we pay closer attention to the rich and give her the best seat in the house then we have misjudged the individuals and the situation. We are tempted to serve those who can "pay us back" or serve us also. This is the "I scratch your back, you scratch mine" mentality. In contrast to this mindset, true faith produces within us a work or activity that is not-partial to people around us, because we realize that the Lord is the one who rewards us (Matt. 6). Our reward does not come from the rich person. This is a faith which work and serves God, because we trust Him, and know that He is good. This is a faith which trusts Christ alone for salvation.
II. Genuine Love Serves Others
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son... God's love motivated him to give sacrificially, and this is a mark of true love. We say we love others, but I hope our actions match our words.
John reminds us in 1st John 3
16 This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need but closes his eyes to his need—how can God’s love reside in him?
18 Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action. 19 This is how we will know we belong to the truth and will convince our conscience in His presence, 20 even if our conscience condemns us, that God is greater than our conscience, and He knows all things.
III. Genuine Hope Produces Steadfastness
The Christians at Thessalonica experienced persecution and suffering, yet their hope in Christ produced endurance in the midst of this suffering. They were confident that Christ would return for his church and He would be victorious (1:10). When we lose sight of the coming of Christ or our eternal reward then we will waver in our faith when we face suffering. Only this rock solid hope in Christ will produce within us the endurance to stand in the face of suffering. May we cling to this hope!
